Bussa’s Rebellion How and why did the enslaved Africans of Barbados rebel in 1816?

This resource was produced using documents from the collections of The National Archives. It can be freely modified and reproduced for use in the classroom only. Introduction

Resistance among enslaved Africans began the moment they were captured, and took many different forms. Some chose to do the following:

- Speak their native language in private.
- Perform African rituals like drumming.
- Appear to accept Christianity, but secretly practise their religion.
- Run away.
- Poison their masters.
- Pretend to be sick in order not to work.
- Damage tools or machinery.

Many Africans also showed their resistance through rebellion. The most successful rebellion took place in Haiti in 1791. Here the enslaved population drove out the French and British and set up the first black republic. In Jamaica, a group of Maroons, or runaway Africans, formed their own settlements in the mountains. For the next 150 years they fought against the British and helped to free others.

Slave rebellions tended to be less threatening in Barbados than on other Caribbean islands. Barbados had a well-armed police force and there was nowhere to hide. Unlike Jamaica, which still had forests, most of the land in Barbados had been cultivated to produce as much sugar as possible.

On Sunday 14th April 1816 a major rebellion broke out in Barbados. This rebellion was carefully planned and organised by the senior enslaved men and women who worked on several estates and plantations.

The rebellion started in the evening in the southeast parish of St Philip, spreading to most of the southern and central parishes of Christ Church, St. John, St. Thomas, St. George and parts of St. Michael. Three days later it was put down by the local militia (soldiers) and the imperial troops (the King’s troops) stationed on the island. Martial law (army rule) was declared on Monday 15th April, and was lifted on 12th July.

Tasks

Look at Source 1

1. This is a letter from James Leith, Governor of Barbados, to Earl Bathurst, Secretary of State for War and Colonies, 30th April 1816:

   a) What evidence is there in this source that these events are viewed as serious?

Look at Source 2

2. This is a letter from Colonel Edward Codd to James Leith, his report of the insurrection. Background

An African born enslaved man called Bussa led the rebellion on Barbados. Very little is known about him, except that he was a ranger at the Bayley plantation in St. Philip. A ranger was the head officer among the enslaved workers on an estate. He would have to look after boundaries and fences and deal with the day-to-day business arising between the estates. This meant that rangers travelled throughout the area. It is likely that Bussa enjoyed the confidence and respect of both the black community and plantation owners.

Bussa planned the uprising with people from the different estates. This included Jackey, the driver at the Simmons estate, King Wiltshire, a carpenter at Bayley’s and Nanny Grigg, a literate domestic at Simmons.

The uprising started at Bayley’s estate. It was an attempt by the enslaved people to change the society on Barbados. They believed that Barbados belonged to them and wanted their freedom from the plantation owners.

The act to end the slave trade had been passed in Parliament in 1807. In 1815 the slaves thought that they were going to gain their freedom when Governor Leith returned from Guadeloupe, another Caribbean island. They believed that he was bringing a ‘free paper’ with him to set them free.

Bussa commanded about 400 men and women against the troops. These included the West India Regiment, an all black branch of the British Army. He was killed in battle and his troops continued to fight until they were defeated by superior firepower. One white civilian and one black soldier were killed during the fighting. Compared to this, 50 enslaved people died in battle and 70 were executed in the field. Another 300 were taken to Bridgetown for trial, of which 144 were executed and 132 sent away to another island. Bussa’s rebellion was one of many rebellions that took place in the Caribbean over the centuries, showing black people’s determination to gain their freedom. Rebellion was their attempt to influence the abolition movement.

**Teachers Notes**

This lesson can be used with key stage 3 pupils in year 9. It looks at the story of the Bussa rebellion on Barbados based on evidence relating to the reaction of the British authorities.

**Sources**

Source 1 provides evidence of the outbreak of the rebellion. Methods of social control used by the authorities are evident in the source. Source 2 shows what happened during the rebellion and the attitudes of the authorities. Source 3 reveals more about the attitude of the authorities and the course of the rebellion. Source 4 provides evidence from a report into the causes of the insurrection from the point of view of the authorities.

**More Activities**

Debate the reasons for and against the slave trade. Carry out a role play/drama about giving evidence to an inquiry into the causes of the Bussa rebellion. Characters can be taken from the sources provided.

**Schemes of Work**

Black peoples of the Americas from slavery to equality? Key Stage 3 Unit 15

Key stage 3 Citizenship at key stage 3 (years 7-9). Unit 04: Britain, a diverse society? Source 1: Letter from James Leith, Governor of Barbados, to Earl Bathurst, Secretary of State for War and Colonies, 30th April 1816 (CO 28/85)

My Lord,

It is with great regret that I do myself the honor of reporting to your Lordship for the information of the Prince Regent that I received accounts from Mr. President Gouverneur, that a serious insurrection of the slaves had taken place on the night of the 14th inst. and that martial law had been proclaimed.

I immediately embarked and arrived at Barbados on the 21st inst. when I found that the insurgents had at once been suppressed by the force promptly employed for the re-establishment of public order. I have the honor to transmit the report of the commanding officer of the troops to which I beg leave to refer for information as to the nature of the insurrection. Source 1: Transcript of Letter from James Leith, Governor of Barbados, to Earl Bathurst, Secretary of State for War and Colonies, 30th April 1816 (CO 28/85)

Barbados, 30th April 1816

My Lord,

It is with great regret that I do myself the honour of reporting to your Lordship for the information of the Prince Regent, that I received accounts from Mr. President Spooner sent to me express to Guadeloupe that a serious insurrection of the slaves had taken place on the night of the 14th instant and that martial law had been proclaimed.

I immediately embarked and arrived at Barbados on the 24th instant, when I found that the force promptly employed for the re-establishment of public order had at once suppressed the insurgents.

I have the honour to transmit the report of Colonel Codd, the commanding officer of the troops to which I beg leave to refer for information as to the nature of the insurrection.

Glossary Insurrection: an organised attempt by a group of people to defeat their government and take control of their country, usually by force. Insurgents: rebels; people taking part in an uprising. Suppressed: put down, stopped. Source 2: Letter from Colonel Edward Codd to James Leith, his report of the insurrection. (CO 28/85)

I have the honor to report to your Excellency, that about two o'clock on the morning of the 15th instant, I received an official notification of an insurrection of the Negroes in the interior of the Island, on the preceding evening, and I was required by the President to cooperate with the Militia.

About 10 o'clock, having waited in vain for authentic information of the strength and position of the insurgents, I deemed it necessary to march off to that quarter of the Country, where the alarm had first spread, with a force consisting of three field pieces under the command of Acting Major Bough. Bussa's Rebellion: How and why did the enslaved Africans of Barbados rebel in 1816?

200 Men of the 4th Bat. 60th Reg. under the command of 2nd Col. Leman; 200 Men of the 16th Reg. under the command of 2nd Col. Davidson, and the left wing of the 1st M. India Reg. (late the Bourbon) to which I attached their late Officers, under the command of Major Copey, accompanied by a detachment of the Royal Regiment of St. Michael's Militia, about 250 strong under the command of Col. Mayers, leaving however a force fully adequate to the protection of the Garrison and Town under the command of 2nd Col. Edwards, late of the Bourbon Regiment.

On arriving in the Parish of St. Philip, I found that the system of plunder and devastation, which had been pursued by the insurgents, had been very alarming in its extent and ruinous in its consequences. Cows, Plantations, Provision grounds, farm dwelling houses and works on some of the Estates, in that and the neighbouring Parish of St. Michael having been involved in a general flame whilst household... Source 2: Transcript of Letter from Colonel Edward Codd to James Leith, his report of the insurrection. (CO 28/85)

St. Ann's, April 25th 1816

Sir –

I have the honour to report to your Excellency that about two o’Clock in the morning of the 15th instant, I received an official notification of an insurrection of the Negroes in the interior of the island on the preceding evening and I was required by the President to co-operate with the militia.

About 10 o’Clock, having waited in vain for authentic information of the strength and position of the insurgents, I deemed it necessary to march off in that quarter of the country, when the alarm had first spread, with a force consisting of three field pieces under the command of Brevil Major Brough,

200 men of the 4th Battalion 60th Regiment under the command of Lt. Colonel Lomax, 200 men of the 15th Regiment under the command of Lt. Colonel Davidson, and the left wing of the West India Regiment (late the Bourbons) to which I attached their late officers, under the command of Major Cassidy, accompanied by a detachment of the royal regiment of St Michael’s militia about 250 strong under the command of Colonel Mayers, leaving however a force fully adequate to the protection of the garrison and town under the command of Lt. Colonel Edwards late of the Bourbon Regiment.

On arriving in the Parish of St. Philip, I found that the system of plunder and devastation, which had been pursued by the insurgents, had been very alarming in its extent and ruinous in its consequences. Canes, Plantations, Provision grounds, a few dwelling houses and rocks on some of the estates in that and the neighbouring Parish of Christ Church having been involved in a general flame whilst household.

furniture of every description, Rum, Sugar, Wine, Corn, and every species of food which had been stored were promiscuously scattered in the Roads and Fields near to the dwelling houses, with a rapidity and destruction that evinced the fury of the insurgents. Glossary Authentic: not false, genuine Insurgents: rebels; people taking part in an uprising Field pieces: cannons Insurgents: rebels; people taking part in an uprising Promiscuously: with great disorder, haphazard, jumbled Devastation: destruction Garrison: a fortified place where troops are stationed Insurgents: rebels; people taking part in an uprising Plunder: to steal of goods by force, especially in time of war; pillage

Source 3: Extract of a private letter, St Ann’s, Barbados. (CO 28/85) with an extraordinary emblematical flag. They were pursued to the house of Mr. Godfrey, which they occupied, but fled from it as we came up, but were soon dislodged. Many of them killed or wounded, leaping from the windows, breaking from the doors, every pretty scene did it exhibit, our men following them across the fields, firing as fast as possible. A party of the 15th Regt under Major Grierson had also a brush with the Rascals, I punished them pretty handsomely for their temerity. The insurgents did not think our men would fight against blacks then, but thank God we were deceived. Source 3: Transcript of Extract of a private letter, St Ann’s, Barbados. (CO 28/85)

Tuesday morning 16th – halted at Bailey’s Estate belonging to the Revd. A\_\_\_\_\_ of \_\_\_\_\_\_\_. Here the insurgents were assembled, about 400 in number and drew up in order to attack the left wing of the 1st West India Regiment about 150 men; they killed two and wounded one of the four men were instantly charged and despatched having about 40 hours of combat in the field as 70 prisoners in our hands with an extraordinary emblematic flag. They were pursued to the house of Mr. Grosset, which they occupied and fled from it as we came up, but were soon disabled. Many of them killed and wounded, leaping from the windows and rushing from the doors, a very pretty scene did it exhibit, our men following them across the fields and firing as fast as possible.

A party of the 15th Regiment under Major Grierson also had a brush with the rascals, and punished them pretty handsomely for their temerity. The insurgents did not think our men would fight against black men, but thank God they were deceived.

I assure you the conduct of our Bourbon Blacks, particularly the Light company under Captain Firth (an old twelfth hand) has been the admiration of everybody, and deservedly.

Glossary Insurgents: rebels; people taking part in an uprising Emblematic: a symbol representing an idea Insurgents: rebels; people taking part in an uprising Temerity: boldness, cheek Source 4: Letter from Colonel Edward Codd to James Leith, his report of the insurrection, 25th April 1816. (CO 28/85) Bussa’s Rebellion: How and why did the enslaved Africans of Barbados rebel in 1816?

I am happy to state that though I very particularly enquired how far ill treatment might have urged them to revolt, yet I never heard it assigned as a reason by any of them, but on the contrary it was acknowledged by all whom I spoke to or examined that they had been well treated. They maintained, however, to me, that the Island belonged to them, and not to white Men, whom they proposed to destroy, reserving the Females, whose lot in case of success, it is easy to conceive... Source 4: Transcript of Letter from Colonel Edward Codd to James Leith, his report of the insurrection, 25th April 1816. (CO 28/85)

I cannot however conclude this report to your Excellency without observing that from the many enquiries, which I have made of the slaves in general, as well as from the evidence and confession of those who have been taken prisoners, it is fully ascertained that the chief cause to which this unfortunate calamity is to be attributed to the general opinion, which has pervaded the minds of those misguided people since the proposed introduction of the Registry Bill, that their emancipation was desired by the British Parliament, and this idea seems to have conveyed by mischievous persons, and the indiscreet conversations of individuals on the measure.

I am happy to state that though I very particularly enquired how far ill treatment might have urged them to revolt, yet I never heard it assigned as a reason by any of them, but on the contrary it was acknowledged whom I spoke to or examined that they had been well treated. They maintained however to me, that the island belonged to them and not to white men, whom they proposed to destroy, reserving the females, whose lot in case of success is very easy to conceive.

Glossary

- calamity: disaster
- emancipation: freeing someone from the control of another, setting free
- pervaded: been present in
- Registry Bill: a bill passed after the abolition of the slave trade in 1807 to prevent illegal importation of enslaved Africans
- mischievous: causing trouble